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Arlington National Cemetery spreads across the rolling hills west of the Potomac, a serene and reverent sanctuary for the presidents, soldiers, and heroesfamous and unsung alikewho lie in eternal rest among its green lawns and quiet glades, a roster dating back to America's birth and including many of the foremost names in our history. Bittersweet, breathtaking, sometimes heartwrenching, always deeply respectful, this commemorative book guides readers gently over treelined slopes to share the ceremonies observed throughout the year.

Witness the ceremonies observed here, from the traditional wreath-laying on Memorial Day, which enshrines centuries of courage with a formality at once austere and profoundly emotional, to the moving graveside services that honor individual men and women who served our country.

Captured in stunning color by gifted photographers, more than 200 unforgettable images create a portrait as poignant as it is proud. Archival photographs also trace the history of the cemetery from the early National Historic Monument, "Arlington House," to the eternal flame at the Kennedy grave to sections for lost astronauts and victims of the 9/11 Pentagon attack. With an introduction by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson, this lovely volume is both a fitting tribute and a stirring reminder of the values we Americans hold dear.

Rick Atkinson is the best-selling author of The Long Gray Line, a narrative account of West Point's class of 1966; Crusade, a history of the Persian Gulf War, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning An Army at Dawn. His other awards include two more Pulitzers, the Livingston Award for international reporting, the John Hancock Award for Excellence, the George Polk Award for national reporting, and a PEN special citation for non-fiction.

"This book works hard to do [Arlington Cemetery] justice, with evocative photos, behind-the-scenes stories, and passages on the cemetery's history and operations."Arizona Republic